Opera
Local News
February 12, 2026
The vote to demolish the Opera House was divisive for council, which arrived at a 3-3 tie that was ultimately broken by Mayor Scott Jerew’s vote. Pictured above, from front to back, Police Chief Jim Hill and council member Pat Morse weigh the decision while council member Reddy Brown, who is also a member of the Opera House committee, emotionally prepares for the inevitable vote to demolish the building his committee was formed to save. (Gazette photo by Kyle Meddles)

Opera House to be demolished

 

By Kyle Meddles, Richwood Gazette

In a sequence of drama only fitting for the opera, Richwood council’s vote to demolish the Opera House ended in a tie-breaking “yes” vote from the mayor, putting an end to years of discussion surrounding the fate of the 136-year-old building.

“It stings, and (Monday) it was more painful than today,” said Reddy Brown, who serves both on village council and the Opera House committee. “It’s not the sting of losing a cross country race…this is more a sting for all the folks in the community that do care about it.”

At the regular meeting of the village on Monday, council began voting on a motion to approve demolishing the Opera House after receiving a…

Read this entire article as it appeared in print in our eEdition

LATEST NEWS
Richwood Community Meals
Community
Richwood Community Meals
Thursday, July 23 Haystacks (2oz. Beef or Chicken, Lettuce, Tomato, Cheese & 1 oz. of chips), Strawberry Fluff, 2 in. Brownie, V-8 juice Friday, J...
July 23, 2026
In Retrospect
Community
In Retrospect
100 YEARS AGO From July 22, 1926 Ellen and Dolph Potts, assisted by Miss Myrtle Austin, entertained the Golden Rule Band at the Potts’ home last Tuesd...
July 23, 2026
Fire – EMS
Community
Fire – EMS
FIRE July 14 12:38 a.m. – South Fulton Street (service run) 1:16 p.m. – Route 4 (MVA) July 16 10:56 a.m. – East Ottawa Street (trash fire) 12:44 p.m. ...
July 23, 2026
Sheriff’s Report
Community
Sheriff’s Report
From Union County Sheriff’s Office reports: Deputies were dispatched to a residence on West park Street in Magnetic Springs on July 15 at 10:01 p.m. t...
July 23, 2026
Fairgrounds abuzz for new show arena
Local News
Fairgrounds abuzz for new show arena
The Richard “Buzz” Sampson Livestock Pavilion is starting to take shape at the Richwood Independent Fairgrounds. Ground work is done on the 80x120-foo...
July 23, 2026